- Not for My Flowers💐 -

🪴Chapter 3: My Name? "Hello Mr. Sunshine!"

✨ = Sparkling Cookie's POV || 🪴 = Herb Cookie's POV || 📘 = Third Person POV

My day started out like every other day.
Except it was the last day of its kind.
Little did i know, from this day out it would be different.

I quickly got up and got ready for work. I fixed my collar, steamed my shirt, and smoothed out my apron. I arranged the leaves that served as my hair and left for work. I picked up Jerry, my favorite small shrub, as I walked out the door.

A nice calm stroll to my calm shop would've been pleasant, like it would've been every other day.

Every other day wasn't going to happen soon or ever again.

When i arrived, it was anything but calm. Almost the entire Cookie Kingdom was outside my shop. Although it wasn't because of my shop, but the building next to it that was so close, you could call it part of my shop.

My eyes widened in disbelief as i looked around. Cookies bustled around me carrying all sorts of materials.

The welcome committee from the day before was present, except for Mont Blanc, whom was working on Sparkling's new wardrobe. Custard and Pure Vanilla - but mainly Pure Vanilla - were overseeing the whole operation . They were discussing plans with Knight Cookie. Muscle Cookie and Purple Yam Cookie were debating who could build the fastest and who could carry the most. Hollyberry was trying to break the two up with a barrel of wine at hand. On top of all of that, the cookies whose dough was tough enough to withstand sheer pressure were carrying chocowood tiles and choco furniture.

I shook my head in disappointment. I prepared myself for several migraines and a few loose leaves during the day as I neared my shop.

When I got close to the door, I saw a sugar paper notice that said, "This shop is closed due to construction safety. It will reopen when the construction of the Luxurious Juice Salon has been concluded. Grievances for the disturbance."

I mumbled profanities under my breath as I peeked into my shop. Thankfully, nothing had changed except for the notice. I quickly checked that my plants were rooted in front of the shop and tested the lock.

I started to make my way back home when I was stopped by the new cookie.

"Hey there Leafy." He had a wide grin on his face and his right arm had a small towel draped on it. I recognized him from the day before. I looked up with a deadpan expression and sighed. "Hey..." I glanced at his hair. "Bubbles." I smirked, proud with myself for coming up with the nickname at a second's notice. He chuckled and his grin grew wider.

"Are you free today?"

I frowned and glanced at Jerry, through he was no help.

I started to say no until a chocowood tile flew over my head. A symphony of apologies were shot my way. I grimaced and looked back to "Bubbles", who was glaring at the chocowood tile that had targeted me.

"Guess i am. What are you planning?"

He stopped glaring at the tile and smiled timidly at me. The guy sure liked smiling. "I hoped you would have some suggestions?" He chuckled nervously and i shot him a skeptical look. "Ever heard of Latte Cafe?"

He tilted his head. "I've heard a bit about a Latte Cookie from Custard Cookie." I smiled a bit, remembering Almond Cookie buying a bouquet 'inconspicuously' for Latte. "Let's go then. They have a really good herb mocha. I bet we can find something for you."

He smiled again, but whiter and brighter this time. "Lead the way!"

I laughed at his enthusiasm and started walking toward the cafe, Sparkling right at my heels.

While we walked, many cookies shouted greetings to new cookie and we stopped frequently for him to have a quick chat.

After a bunch of "OOoOOOoo"s from Sorbet Shark Cookie, Sparkling turned to me with laughter in his eyes. I raised my eyebrows and patted Jerry's pot. "What?"

He looked down shyly, then back up at me. "Since we're technically fri-" I froze in my path and glared at him. He cleared his throat. "Sorry, since we're technically acquaintances-" I relaxed and he took that as a sign of approval. "I figured we should formally introduce ourselves." Another smile. "Sorbet suggested it. I'm surprised we went this long without introducing ourselves."

"W-Wait-..." I stammered, unsure of what he just said. "What?..." He cocked his head. "What's your name?"

It took me a few minutes to process what he just said. "M-My name? Huh?" I was genuinely confused. Nobody bothered knowing my name unless it was for business. My shock faded into unexpected disappointment. He just wanted flowers.

"So?" His voice intruded on my mind. I took a deep breath. I can't believe I thought he actually wanted to be my friend. My customers acted friendly but they never led me on like this. If he was going to mess with me, two can play at that game.

Though I couldn't help myself from wanting to be his friend.

I plastered a fake smile onto my face and rubbed Jerry's pot. "My name is Herb Cookie. Pleasure."

His smile widened. "I'm Sparkling Cookie!" He bowed and looked up at me expectantly, his smile ever present.

After a few moments I rigidly stuck out my hand. He took it and shook it vigorously.

"Now that we've been formally introduced, shall we continue?" I let my face settle into a faint smile. Sparkling nodded eagerly.

We continued on to the cafe. After we introduced ourselves his posture improved a bit and he walked closer to me, bouncing with each step.

I shook my head. How fake. All of this just for flowers. Even though flowers were treasured, are they really worth playing someone's heart?